Information technology tools and resources at the UW

Smart Board Instructions

QuickStart: Using the electronic SMART Board Projector with the integrated computer.

Make sure the board is plugged in, and the computer powered on. The integrated computer is mounted underneath the Instructor’s desk next to the podium.

Power on the SMART board using the illuminated power button on the front near the lower right corner. It may take a moment or two to light up.

If you do not see the display from the integrated computer projected on the board, press the “Computer 1” button which is next to the power button until the projector indicates input “VGA 1” is selected.

QuickStart: Using the electronic SMART Board Projector with a laptop –

Make sure the board is plugged into a power source.

Power on using the illuminated power button on the lower right of the SMART Board.

You can install SMART Notebook on your desktop or laptop. Download it from smarttech.com. Follow the links to Support, then Downloads. SMART Notebook is the top item in the list of downloads. Install the latest version for your platform. If installed without a product key, the installation has a 30 day timeout.

Connect your laptop to the SMART Board: Connect VGA out, USB, and optionally audio out, using the light grey cable set that extends from behind the board on the right-hand side.

If you do not see the display from the laptop computer projected on the board, press the “Input” button which is next to the power button until the projector indicates input “VGA 2” is selected.

Common SMART Board Operations and Tips:

Floating toolbar –

The SMART Board software adds a semi-transparent toolbar on the left edge of your screen. When connected to the SMART Board, use the tools to choose between ink, pointer, and eraser and to perform other common functions.

Windows System Tray Icon –

The Windows drivers create a SMART Board system tray icon that provides a handy way to access software configuration and tools. Right-click the icon to start.

Pen Tray Buttons –

There are two handy buttons on the pen tray: One brings up the on-screen keyboard so that you can enter text without the need for a physical keyboard. The second causes the next board touch event to be interpreted by the system as a right-click.

Writing: Pen vs. Finger –

There are two classes of support for applications when used with the SMART Board: Smart-Aware, and non-aware. Smart-aware applications have extra capabilities such as being able to save ink directly in the application files, and being able to detect pen color or eraser by the absence of something in the pen tray slot. Standard Smart-aware applications include Microsoft and Open Office suites, and a few common paint/graphics applications. You can still use touch to control non-aware applications, and use digital ink overlays, but for these applications the overlay is attached to the entire screen, so it is not possible to save ink integrated with the file.

Make sure you connected using the VGA input that matches the selected projector source. If you are using the integrated computer in the SMART Board cart, select VGA-1. You can toggle through all projector inputs using the “Input” button next to the power button on the bottom right of the board. Most computer connections, use the USB and VGA inputs in the light grey cable set emerging from behind the board on the right side. This set is associated with projector input VGA-1.

The USB is connected, but the software does not detect the SMART Board

Each USB input is associated with a projector input. The SMART Board device will only appear to be present on the USB input associated with the currently selected projector input. The light grey cable set emerging from behind the board on the right side is associated with projector input “VGA-2”. The integrated computer is associated with VGA-1. Toggle the selected input using the “Input” button next to the power button on the bottom right of the board